U.S. patent number 4,139,270 [Application Number 05/830,564] was granted by the patent office on 1979-02-13 for panel mounting apparatus.
Invention is credited to James T. Dotson.
United States Patent |
4,139,270 |
Dotson |
February 13, 1979 |
Panel mounting apparatus
Abstract
A guide member extends along each longitudinal edge of a concave
frame. Grooves within the guide members slideably receive
respective longitudinal edges of a flexible reflective panel. A
lateral edge of the panel is received in the lateral guide member
at one end of the frame. Retention means at the other end of the
frame are detachably held against the other lateral edge of the
panel by biasing means. The biasing means is yieldable in response
to thermal expansion of the panel.
Inventors: |
Dotson; James T. (Gilbert,
AZ) |
Family
ID: |
25257215 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/830,564 |
Filed: |
September 6, 1977 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/867 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S
23/745 (20180501); G02B 7/182 (20130101); F24S
40/80 (20180501); F21V 17/104 (20130101); F21V
7/18 (20130101); F21S 11/00 (20130101); Y02E
10/45 (20130101); Y02E 10/40 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
7/18 (20060101); F21V 7/00 (20060101); F24J
2/06 (20060101); F24J 2/46 (20060101); F21S
11/00 (20060101); F24J 2/00 (20060101); F24J
2/14 (20060101); F21V 17/10 (20060101); F21V
17/00 (20060101); G02B 7/182 (20060101); G02B
005/10 (); G02B 007/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;350/310,296,293,288
;128/270,271 ;248/475R ;52/476,500,501 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
4056309 |
November 1977 |
Harbison et al. |
|
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Henry; Jon W.
Claims
Having fully described and disclosed the instant invention and
preferred embodiments thereof in such clear and concise terms as to
enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the
same, the invention claimed is:
1. In a device for receiving and redirecting radiant energy, said
device having an elongate arcuate frame with a concave top and
having spaced apart longitudinal sides and first and second lateral
ends, improvements therein for detachably mounting flexible
reflective panel in juxtaposition to said top, said panel having
spaced apart longitudinal edges and first and second lateral
edges,
said improvements including a pair of spaced apart elongate guide
members carried on the top of said frame, each of said pair of
guide members extending longitudinally of said frame and slideably
receiving a respective longitudinal edge of said panel,
a lateral guide member carried by said frame proximate the first
lateral end thereof and extending between said pair of elongate
guide members and slideably receiving the first lateral edge of
said panel, and retention means carried proximate the second
lateral end of said frame for releasibly engaging the second
lateral edge of said panel and retaining said panel within said
guide members, said retention means including:
(a) a bracket carried by said frame and rotatable about an axis
generally parallel to the second lateral end of said frame and
moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to the second
lateral edge of said frame;
(b) a retention member carried by said bracket and having an open
groove therein for receiving the second lateral edge of said panel;
and
(c) biasing means normally urging said bracket in a direction
generally toward said lateral guide member.
2. The device of claim 1 further including a second bracket spaced
along the second lateral edge of said frame from said first
mentioned bracket, said second bracket cooperating with said first
mentioned bracket for supporting said retention member.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein each said bracket includes:
(a) a support member carried by said frame and rotatable about an
axis generally parallel to the second lateral end of said
frame;
(b) an arm having first and second ends slideably carried by said
support member for movement transverse to the axis of said support
member;
(c) attachment means proximate the first end of said arm for
engagement with said retention member; and
(d) biasing means normally urging the first end of said arm toward
said support member.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said biasing means is yieldable
in response to movement of the second lateral edge of said panel in
response to thermal expansion of said panel.
Description
This invention relates to devices for reflecting radiant
energy.
More particularly, the present invention relates to devices having
arcuate reflective surfaces for receiving and redirecting radiant
energy.
In a further aspect, the instant invention concerns mounting means
for detachably securing a reflective panel to a radiant energy
device.
Devices having reflective panels for receiving and redirecting
radiant energy are well known. One type is exemplified by the
conventional radiant space heater. Herein, heat generated by a
source, usually an electric element, is projected to a reflective
surface which disburses and broadcasts the heat to the environment.
The second basic type, having a structural similarly but a
diametrically opposed function, is typified by a solar energy
collector. In a solar device, the generally parallel rays from the
sun are received against a reflective panel, usually parabolic, and
redirected to a single source, such as a fluid carrying
conduit.
The efficiency of the foregoing type of radiant reflectors is
largely dependent upon the precision of the reflective panel. The
reflective surface must be highly polished in order to transmit the
maximum quantity of energy received. However, the panels, whether
fabricated or mirrored glass, polished metal or other materials,
are exceedingly susceptible to surface erosion. Surface erosion,
due to sand storms and other environmental phenomenon, is of
particular concern with solar energy devices. Similarly, the polish
on the reflective surface of a space heater is deteriorated by
stains, heat discoloration and other factors.
Many reflective panels are commonly fabricated of aluminum or
stainless steel sheet stock, which has been polished on one side.
Thermal expansion of such material is well known. Thin metallic
material, when secured in a frame, will generally ripple and
distort due to thermal expansion. The loss of the pre-set curvature
of the panel disturbs the calibration of the unit with attendent
loss in efficiency.
Devices of the instant type have other inherent problems. For
example, a bright shiny surface which is unattended, such as a
remotely placed solar collector, is an attractive target for
vandalism. Vandals are invited to throw stones at, shoot at, write
slogans upon and otherwise destroy the panels. This necessitates
repolishing of the collector surface. However, such devices are not
readily disassembled or shipped. Accordingly, the unit is out of
service for an extended time and the owner suffers a financial
burden, both as a result of the downtime of the unit and as a
result of shipping costs for the bulky item.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the
deficiencies inherent in the prior art devices.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
new and useful improvements in devices for reflecting radiant
energy.
Another object of the invention is the provision of ameliorated
mounting means for affixing a reflective panel to a radiant energy
device.
And, another object of the invention is to provide a mounting
apparatus for detachably securing a reflective panel to an arcuate
frame.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of mounting
means whereby the panel is free floating and relieved of stress due
to thermal expansion.
Still another object of the invention is to provide means whereby a
damaged panel is readily replacable.
Yet still another object of the invention is the provision of a
panel and mounting combination which will facilitate convenient
shipping of replacement panels.
A further object of the invention is to provide an assembly which
is arranged for effective cooling of the reflective panel.
And, a further object of the invention is the provision of mounting
means for the utilization of reversable panels that are polished on
both sides.
And still a further object of the invention is to provide a radiant
energy device, in accordance with the foregoing objectives, that is
simply and economically constructed, relatively maintenance free,
and conveniently usable.
Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention
in, accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant
invention, first provided is a pair of alongate guide members which
are affixed in spaced apart arrangement to the concave top of the
frame of a radiant energy device. Each of the guide members
slideably receives a respective longitudinal edge of a flexible
panel. Preferably, the edges of the panel are received in generally
U-shaped grooves, which are formed in the guide members and are
substantially wider than the thickness of the panel. A strip of
resilient material also resides within the groove to prevent the
panel from moving laterally within the groove.
In a further embodiment, a lateral guide member extends transversly
between the pair of alongate guide members and slideably receives a
lateral edge of the panel. The panel is held within the guide
members by retention means engageable with the other lateral edge
of the panel. The retention means is disengageable from the other
lateral edge for removal of the panel from the frame. The retention
means is biased and therefore moveable in response to pressure as a
result of thermal expansion of the panel.
The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages
of the present invention will become readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiant energy device, especially
including a frame, a panel, an apparatus for mounting the panel to
the frame, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
instant invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line
2--2 of FIG. 1 and further showing details of the frame and
mounting apparatus;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken
along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and further illustrating the mounting
apparatus engaged with a lateral edge of the panel;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken
along the line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and showing in greater detail the
mounting apparatus in combination with a longitudinal edge of the
panel;
FIG. 5 is a view generally corresponding to the view of FIG. 4 and
showing an alternate arrangement thereof;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken
along the line 6--6 of FIG. 1 and especially showing a preferred
panel retention means useful in connection with the instant
invention; and
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the
line 7--7 of FIG. 6 and revealing additional details of the
mechanism thereof.
Turning now to the drawings in which the same reference numerals
indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views,
attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which shows a radiant energy
device embodying the principles of the instant invention and having
a frame generally designated by the reference character 20. A
mounting apparatus, generally designated by the reference character
21 is secured to frame 20 and holds a panel generally designated by
the reference character 22.
Frame 20, as also seen in FIG. 2, is of the open skeleton type,
having longitudinal structural side members 23 and 24. For purposes
of orientation, side members 23 and 24 are designated left and
right, respectively. Each side member 23 and 24 has a longeron 25
and a stringer 27, which are held in spaced relationship by
structural box members 28. Each box member 28 has an aperture 29
bored therethrough consistent with the skeleton nature of the
frame.
Preferably, side members 22 and 23, as well as the entire frame 20,
is a weldment of structural metal parts, as are commercially
available in ferrous metals, aluminum and other material. Box
member 28 are cut to length from rectangular pipe. Stringers 27 are
strip stock and longerons 25 are channel beams. As illustrated, the
channel beams are inverted, the base 30 thereof effectively
becoming the top of frame 20. Side members 23 and 24 are
congruently arcuate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the side members. The radius and type of curvature,
circular or parabolic for example, is at the discretion of the
manufacturer in accordance with the intended use. Side members 23
and 24 are held in spaced relationship by a plurality of upper and
lower cross ties 32 and 33, respectively. In accordance with a
preferred method of fabrication, there exists an upper cross tie 32
and a lower cross tie 33 for each opposed pair of box members 28.
For purposes of strength, cross ties 32 and 33 are tubular, either
round or rectangular, and are of the same material as side members
23 and 24. Upper cross tie 32 is welded at the ends thereof to
respective longerons 25. In a similar manner, lower cross tie 33 is
affixed at respective ends thereof to opposed box members 28.
A mounting bracket 34 depends from proximate the center of frame
20. Mounting bracket 34 includes V-shaped metallic structural
members 35 and 37 depending from side members 23 and 24,
respectively. Tubular support member 38 extends tranversly of frame
20 and is secured at the ends thereof to the nethermost or apex
portion. Extending between side members 23 and 24 at first lateral
end 42 is a lateral brace 44 in the form of an inverted structural
channel, the base 45 of which contributes to the top of frame 20,
as particularly seen in FIG. 3.
With further reference to FIG. 4, mounting apparatus 21 includes a
pair of elongate guide members 47 and 48 carried on the top of side
members 23 and 24, respectively, and a lateral guide member 49
secured to lateral brace 44 and extending between guide members 47
and 48. Each guide member 47 and 48 includes a first side wall 50,
a spaced apart second side wall 52 and a connecting wall 53, which
together define a generally U-shaped channel 54.
Side wall 50, as particularly seen in FIG. 4, is substantially
longer than side wall 52 and is placed against base 30 of longeron
25. Periodically spaced along longeron 25 are counterbored
apertures 55. Flat head machine screw 57 extends through a
corresponding aperture 58 in side wall 50 and threadedly engages
weld nut 59. Due to the relatively thin cross section of side wall
50, and especially if guide member 47 is fabricated from a ductile
material such as aluminum, the material immediately surrounding
aperture 58 is drawn into counterbored aperture 55 in response to
the tightening of flat head machine screw 57 with weld nut 59.
Accordingly, the exposed surface of side wall 50 is free from
upstanding obstructions.
FIG. 4 particularly illustrates guide member 47 and the attachment
thereof to side member 23. Although not specifically illustrated,
it will be appreciated that guide member 48 is a mirror image of
guide member 47 and similarly attached to side member 24.
Similarly, lateral guide member 49 is secured to lateral brace 44
and U-shaped channel 54 is continuous amoung the several guide
members.
Panel 22 has first and second longitudinal edges 60 and 62,
respectively, and first and second lateral edges 63 and 64,
respectively. Panel 22 further includes first side 65 and second
side 67. Although the thickness of panel 22 is subject to the
preference of the individual manufacturer, a thickness of
approximately 0.032 inches has been found to be satisfactory.
Similarly, a panel of approximately three-feet wide by eight-feet
long is convenient for handling and shipping purposes. Preferably,
panel 22 is fabricated from aluminum or stainless steel, and since
panel 22 is reversable within mounting apparatus 21, as will become
apparent presently, sides 65 and 67 are polished.
Lateral edges 63 and 64 of panel 22 are received in grooves 54 of
guide members 47 and 48. First lateral edge 63 is received in
groove 54 within lateral guide member 49. The spacing between side
walls 50 and 52 is such that groove 54 is substantially wider than
the thickness of panel 22. The panel 22 is freely slideably
received within mounting apparatus 21 when inserted from second
lateral end 43 of frame 20. A resilient strip 68, such as
fabricated from felt or a compound of foam rubber or polymer
material, is in juxtaposition with panel 22 within groove 54.
Resilient strip 68 maintains relatively light pressure upon panel
22, whereby panel 22 is freely moveable within groove 54, yet is
restrained from vibration.
As particularly illustrated in FIG. 4, space exists between
longitudinal edge 60 of panel 22 and connecting wall 53 of guide
member 47. A similar space exists between panel 22 and longitudinal
guide member 48. The space provides for thermal expansion of panel
22. It is not important that panel 22 be placed tightly against one
of the lateral guide members inasmuch as a doubled amount of space
will be present within the other guide member.
As especially seen in FIG. 3, lateral edge 63 may be placed in
abutment against connecting wall 53 of lateral guide member 49,
since panel 22 is free to expand in a direction toward second
lateral end 43 of frame 20, as will be described presently.
FIG. 5 illustrates a modified guide member 69, which is alternately
useable instead of guide members 47, 48 and 49. Guide member 69
includes a first side wall 70, a spaced apart second guide wall 72
and a connecting wall 73, which together form a groove 74 analygous
to the previously described groove 54. Side wall 70 has first and
second offset sections 75 and 77. The amount of offset exceeds the
combined thickness of head 78 of bolt 79 and washer 80. Bolt 79
extends through aperture 82 corresponding bored through second
section 77 and longeron 25. Bolt 79 is threadedly engaged and
tightened with weld nut 59. The immediate embodiment eliminates the
need for forming counterbored aperture 55. In view of the instant
disclosure, other forms of guide rails will readily occur to those
skilled in the art, as well as other forms of attachment, such as
spot or fillet welding.
Retention means, generally designated by reference character 83 for
releasably engaging the second lateral edge 64 of panel 22 and
retaining the panel within mounting apparatus 21 is illustrated in
detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. A boss 84 is secured, as by welding, to
the inside of the inboard leg of the channel member forming
longeron 25. A cylindrical bore 85 extends through boss 84 and the
leg of longeron 25. Support member 87 has a reduced diameter
section 88 which is rotatably journaled within bore 85. Thrust
washers 89 are placed at either end of bore 85 and support member
87 is retained by cotter pin 90 extending through a suitable bore
and deformed in accordance with conventional practice.
Arm 92 is slideably disposed within aperture 93, formed through
support member 87 transverse to the axis of rotation of support
member 87 within bore 85. Arm 92 has a first end 94 and a second
end 95 which extend beyond support member 87. Proximate first end
95 is a shoulder formed by washer 97 and cotter pin 98. Compression
spring 99 encircles arm 92 and bears against support member 87 and
spring 97 normally urging first end 94 toward support member
87.
Support member 87 and arm 92 form a bracket for supporting elongate
retention member 100 which extends along second lateral edge 43 of
frame 20. Retention member 100 is a relatively flat plate having a
longitudinal recess 102 formed along one edge thereof by spaced
apart first and second walls 103 and 104, and connecting wall 105.
As previously described in connection with guide members 47, 48 and
49, recess 102 is sufficiently wide to receive lateral edge 64 of
plate 22 and a strip of resilient material 107. Arm 92 extends
through a suitable bore formed in retention member 100 and has a
link thereof threaded proximate first end 94 for receiving locking
nuts 108 and 109 on respective sides of retention member 100.
As will be appreciated, a mirror image to the arrangement described
in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7 is carried by side member 23 and
cooperates for supporting retention member 100.
Due to thermal expansion, panel 22 will expand longitudinally,
bearing against lateral guide member 49 and retention member 100.
In response to the thermal expansion, springs 99 are compressed and
the pressure of second lateral edge 64 urges retention member 100
in the direction of arrow A, as particularly seen in FIG. 6. The
position which retention member 100 may assume as result of thermal
expansion of panel 22 is shown in broken outline 10A. A movement of
approximately 0.125 inches will accommodate a 0.032 inch thick
aluminum panel, having an overall length of eight feet. With proper
selection of springs 99 the movement of retention member 100 is
affected without rippling or distortion to the panel. Removal of
panel 22 is readily accomplished by first moving retention member
100 in the direction of arrow A, then rotating in the direction of
arrow B to the position designated by the broken outline 100B.
Panel 22 is then withdrawn in the direction of arrow A.
Subsequently, panel 22 is reversed and replaced or a new panel
inserted in a reverse manner.
The embodiment of the instant invention herein chosen for purposes
of illustration is an elongate, generally rectangular, radiant
energy device having a single panel. Various modifications thereof
are apparent. The teachings herein can be applied to devices having
diverse appearances. In providing an alternate shape, such as
square for example, a square frame can be employed to hold a
substantially square panel. Alternately, two or more mounting
apparati can be affixed to a single frame to hold a plurality of
smaller panels. Similarly, the illustrated embodiment can be
considered a modular unit and bolted or otherwise affixed adjacent
to similar or identical units to provide a device of any desired
size.
Various other modifications and variations of the instant
embodiment will readily appear to those skilled in the art. To the
extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from
the spirit to the invention, they are intended to be included
therein and limited only by a fair interpretation of the appended
claims.
* * * * *